A witness to history

This is a moment in history and I am so proud to be a witness to it.

Regardless of your poltical philosophy, you must recognize the impact of this moment, the signifigance of this accomplishment. It is the first true signifier of our emergence from the darkness that was our collective history of intollerance and hatred.

I do not pretend to think that this is a universal acceptance of progression. There will always be those who will fill their hearts with empty and pointless hate. But we are a nation built on the premise of the Shining City on a Hill, a promise of something better than where we came from, somewhere more perfect than what we can imagine. This moment in history is our first step up the staircase of progress toward that lofty goal of true democracy, inclusion, and hope.

Hyperbole? Nothing in this century can compare to this great step forward. We are a generation that is closer toward color-blindness having not witnessed first hand the tragedies of Jim Crow. We have grown up in integrated schools, integrated neighborhoods, integrated workplaces. We are the generation that can take this color-blindness to a higher plane simply by casting a vote.

Do not deny that every one in this country has a place in it's history. While many of our nation's accomplishments have been made at the hands of a few, many, many more have been at the hands of the nameless, the faceless, the common man with a voice guaranteed to him by our Founding Fathers. Do not squander that which is so sacred in the story of our nation. Do not squander your chance to tell your children that you were responsible for changing the tide of history and restoring true righteous grandeur to our country. Relish the chance to have your voice be heard saying "I have made a difference, I have made things better, I have helped right a wrong."

I am proud tonight to be an American, simply because I have learned that my fellow countrymen believe, as I do, that we are better than our collective history and can redraw the path we go down. It has been so long since I have been able to embrace my country. It has let me down, lied to me, stolen from me, betrayed me. But now there is hope, that our nation will once again be led by an honest, altruisitc man filled with integrity, duty, courage, and conviction. What makes me proud is that so many in this nation have seen as I do and have made their voices heard.

We will not erase the errors of our past, but we can control the tenor of our future. Choose to be a part of that which is greater than you. Make the future one you wish your children to inherit. But more importantly, simply recognize that America is being re-born as a nation filled with promise. Do not let that flame of hope be extinguished by the repetition of history.